Each November, the Trustees of the American Academy in Rome gather in New York City for their Annual Meeting, various committee meetings, and two important events: the Trustees Emeriti Luncheon and the Patricia H. Labalme Friends of the Library Lecture.
The Trustees Emeriti Luncheon, hosted by Trustee Emerita Millicent Mercer Johnsen, brings together former Trustees with the Academy leadership and recent Fellows. It is a much anticipated event, a chance to hear the latest from the Academy and renew friendships forged in Rome.
This year’s luncheon, the ninth to date, was attended by 30 past Trustees, including six Directors: Christopher Celenza, FAAR’94, Sophie Chandler Consagra, Carmela Vircillo Franklin, FAAR'85, RAAR'02, Lester K. Little, RAAR'96, James F. Melchert, and Henry A. Millon, FAAR'60, RAAR'66 (a record number), and returning Fellows Annie Montgomery Labatt, FAAR’10, art historian, and Russell Maret, FAAR’10, graphic designer. Next year will mark the tenth anniversary of this much-loved occasion that has become so important to the Academy family.
The evening brought the Patricia H. Labalme Friends of the Library Lecture, an annual program endowed in memory of distinguished scholar and Trustee Emerita Patricia H. Labalme, who was a longtime and devoted leader of the Friends of the Library. Founded in 1961 by library readers, the FOL helps to build the library’s collections and supports special initiatives. This year’s speaker, Director Christopher Celenza, FAAR’94, was introduced by FOL Chairman and Life Trustee Michael C. J. Putnam, FAAR’64, RAAR’70. The well attended lecture covered the history of modern open-access libraries in Renaissance Italy, and was followed by a response by Trustee John A. Pinto, FAAR’75, RAAR’06 and a lively Q&A.
The Academy’s Board of Trustees Meeting took place on 18 November, where news from Rome, ongoing business, and progress on the campaign were discussed. The Board elected four new Trustees; Cynthia L. Beck, Mary E. Frank, William B. McGurn, III, and John Clarke, RAAR’95, representing the Advisory Council to the Committee on the School of Classical Studies. The Board also presented a new medal designed by Michael Graves, FAAR’62, RAAR’79 to retiring Trustees Susan Nitze, Chuck Close, RAAR’96 and David Childs, RAAR’04, and to Life Trustees Michael Putnam, FAAR’64, RAAR’70 and Michael Graves FAAR’62, RAAR’79, in honor of their contributions and commitment to the Academy.
The week concluded with the 20 November meeting of the Council of the Society of Fellows. Among the topics discussed were the evolving mission of the SOF, the new SOF area of the Academy website, and upcoming events, which include a reception at the joint meeting of Archaeological Institute of America and the American Philological Association on 7 January in San Antonio, Texas, as well a reception during the annual meeting of the College Art Association in New York City, celebrating its 100th anniversary. The CAA reception will take place on 11 February at the Academy’s New York offices so mark your calendars!